Er... on second thought, do I actually need to tie the rope to the spring??? Or do I just loop it through and then back up to the tensioner? I really haven't looked at these things at all! Just packed them in the car. I'm sure I'd figure it all out there eventually, but it's probably easier from here when I still have the internet to consult!nt

And Stevo, those scouting knots look way too complicated for me! They lost me on the second turn.

Actually Lin you are right.....you don't need to tie a special knot as the rope goes through the spring and then back to the tensioner and ties off there. Mine are wooden and the rope feeds back through a hole in the other end of the tensioner and then it's just a normal single knot to stop it from coming back through the hole.

Yes, I got the wooden tensioners too. I bought the ropes with the tensioners already on it, which probably cost me twice as much as if I'd bought the ropes and tensioner separately! But at least the ropes have the loops already on them, including for the double ones for the corners, so I won't be having to tie those.

I did actually look at that one and I even tried it with some knitting wool I found near the computer, Stevo!

I've been trying to learn the truckies hitch for years, but I just cannot remember how to do it when I need it!

tho half hitches would be fine for this application, altho I'm fan of the figure of eight on a bight, just in case you ever need to remove ( or shorten) the rope. The figure of eight wont bind like a hitch, and can be undone easier.

Love the half hitches...and the figure 8 (we call it bowlin (I think) ) at least the sailing experience helped me with knots out camping..nver do a granny knot any more..can't get them undone...sorry Lin...didn't help much...all I know is I used to sit for hours practising so when I had to do it quickly out sailing I could!!

Im glad my parents made me get into scouting as a youngster, it has taught me alot about many different things. When I was in the army I flew through the navigation exercises, and had no trouble with tying down loads on trucks. I have met alot of great people too , certainly a good thing for kids.

Chicky babe ... fig 8 and bowline are different. bowline is easy to adjust tension on, and easy to do one handed. Fig 8 is a good stopper knot for things like sail rigging etc.